Martin Whitfield
Scottish Labour
MSP for South Scotland (Region) 2021 - present day
About Martin Whitfield
Contact details
Contact online
Website: martinwhitfieldmsp.com
X (previously known as Twitter): @_MWhitfield
Facebook: Martin's facebook
Contact at the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 5827
Text relay calls welcome.
Committees
Martin is a member of 2 committees
Education, Children and Young People Committee
Substitute Member
Cross-party groups
Martin is a member of 1 cross-party group
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on St Andrew's Day
Member
Parliamentary and Government Roles
Martin has 2 parliamentary and government roles
Parliamentary Bureau
Member
Conveners Group
Member
Party Roles
Martin has 3 party roles
Business Manager
Scottish Labour
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Children
Scottish Labour
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Young People
Scottish Labour
Previous roles
Martin has had 3 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Lifelong Learning
Scottish Labour
31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Youth Employment
Scottish Labour
17 June 2021 - 22 June 2021
Standards Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
Member
Register of interests
Martin's register of interests
MSPs must provide details of their financial interests in the Register of Interests. They make an initial statement on becoming or being returned as an MSP. This is then updated with any changes they provide.
Recent Activity
What was said
What Martin Whitfield has said in Parliament
These are the official transcripts of what was said by this MSP in the chamber and at committee meetings. You'll find the topic discussed and how many times this MSP has contributed to the discussion.
Chamber meeting date: 16 May 2024
Foster Care
Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab): "It is right that I start by thanking those members who supported the motion to allow the debate. I also thank those members who will participate in the debate and those in the audience who wish to stay for it. This is an important debate…
Chamber meeting date: 16 May 2024
School Starting Age
Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab): "We know that children are ready for formal learning and for changes in stages at different times. That is the defining reason for their being able to defer the start of schooling…
Chamber meeting date: 15 May 2024
Teaching
Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab): "Does the cabinet secretary agree that it is strange that members of the teaching profession are expected to buy so much stuff for their classrooms to ensure that children have the experiences that they need, unlike almost any other profession in this country?"
Chamber meeting date: 15 May 2024
Post Office (Horizon System) Offences (Scotland) Bill
Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab): "Scottish Labour will also support the motion. Emergency bills are unusual in this Parliament…
Chamber meeting date: 14 May 2024
Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab): "Can the minister give an indication of the timescale that he is considering with regard to the reach-out discussion and consultation, and then coming back with proposals?"
Votes
How Martin Whitfield has voted in Parliament
Find out how Martin Whitfield has voted recently.
Stand Up for Teaching
Submitted by: Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Supported by: Roz McCall
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Result 29 for, 95 against, 0 abstained, 5 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Scotland’s Housing Emergency
Submitted by: Mark Griffin, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, May 13, 2024
Supported by: Sarah Boyack, Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Result 95 for, 29 against, 0 abstained, 5 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Stand Up for Teaching
Submitted by: Jenny Gilruth, Mid Fife and Glenrothes, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Supported by: Graeme Dey, Natalie Don
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Result 62 for, 62 against, 0 abstained, 5 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Stand Up for Teaching
Submitted by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, Glasgow, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, May 13, 2024
Supported by: Paul Sweeney, Martin Whitfield
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Result 62 for, 61 against, 1 abstained, 5 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Scotland’s Housing Emergency
Submitted by: Paul McLennan, East Lothian, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Supported by: Shirley-Anne Somerville, Kaukab Stewart
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Result 69 for, 33 against, 22 abstained, 5 did not vote
MSP abstained
Vote Passed
Motions
Motions made by Martin Whitfield in Parliament
Find out what motions Martin Whitfield has submitted recently.
Questions
Questions Martin Whitfield has asked
These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.
Asked by: Whitfield, Martin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 10 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what options are available for early retirement under the Scottish Teachers' Pension Scheme (STPS), and how any such options impact the final pension amount that a teacher receives."
Answer expected on 28 May 2024
Asked by: Whitfield, Martin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 10 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what the current average pension pay-out is for teachers who retire under the Scottish Teachers' Pension Scheme (STPS)."
Answer expected on 28 May 2024
Asked by: Whitfield, Martin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 10 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of how early retirement has impacted the number of active teachers, and what steps are being taken to address any potential teacher shortages arising from any such trend."
Answer expected on 28 May 2024
Asked by: Whitfield, Martin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 10 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether there are any provisions within the Scottish Teachers' Pension Scheme (STPS) that allow teachers to adjust their contribution rates to potentially increase their future pension benefits."
Answer expected on 28 May 2024
Asked by: Whitfield, Martin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 10 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to address any potential financial hardship faced by retired teachers with low pensions, particularly in light of the current economic climate."
Answer expected on 28 May 2024
Asked by: Whitfield, Martin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 10 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the projected costs of the Scottish Teachers' Pension Scheme (STPS) over the next five years, and whether it will outline any measures being considered to ensure its long-term sustainability."
Answer expected on 28 May 2024
Asked by: Whitfield, Martin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 10 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures the smooth transition for teachers moving between the Scottish Teachers' Superannuation Scheme (STSS) and the Scottish Teachers' Pension Scheme 2015 (STPS 2015), in order to avoid any loss of pension benefits."
Answer expected on 28 May 2024
Asked by: Whitfield, Martin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 10 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what role the Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA) has in managing the Scottish Teachers' Pension Scheme (STPS), and how teachers can raise any concerns or enquiries regarding their pension plan."
Answer expected on 28 May 2024
Asked by: Whitfield, Martin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 10 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what the total percentage is of teachers who are currently not enrolled in a pension scheme."
Answer expected on 28 May 2024
Asked by: Whitfield, Martin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 10 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how the Scottish Teachers' Pension Scheme (STPS) pension benefit structure, including accrual rate and lump sum, compares to other defined benefit pension schemes."
Answer expected on 28 May 2024
See all of Martin Whitfield's questions submitted in Parliament